Connector for attaching backsplash panels to counter tops



Oct 9, 1951 l. J. PEARsoN CONNECTOR FOR ATTAOHTNG BACK-SPLASH PANELs ToCOUNTER TOPS Filed Oct. 3o, 195o 'Il Il Il l1 11(11 IRA J. PEAQSON,INVENTOR zxaY AGENT Patented Oct. 9, 1951 UNITED l CONNECTOR FORATTACHING BACK- SPLASH PAN ELS TO COUNTER TOPS Ira J. Pearson,Riverside, Calif.

Application October 30, 1950, Serial No. 192,946

The present invention proved connector for attaching two panels togetherat right angles .to one another, and more specically to a connector forattaching backsplash panels to counter` tops. Although not necessarilylimited to such use, the invention nds particular utility in connectionwith the construction of built-in kitchen or bathroom counters andcabinets, `where the counter top and back-splash panels are formed ofsheet laminate bonded to plywood, of which Formica is one wellknownexample.

Where the counter top is exposed to water, as in a kitchen or bathroom,it is vitally important that the joint between the counter top and thet,

back-splash panel be absolutely water-tight at all times, as penetrationof water into the joint causes the plywood to swell and separate, andthe supporting framework to warp and rot. If an excessive amount ofwater continues .to seep through the joint over an extended period oftime, the vdamage may spread to the wall plaster and flooring, withserious and costly effect.

The matter of producing and maintaining a water-tight joint iscomplicated by a number o' factors, For one thing, it is necessary thatthe counter tops and back-splash panels be pressed and cut to shape in ashop equipped with specialized tooling and equipment to dothe work,

and the panels must then be installed on the counter or cabinet forwhich it is intended. g The problem would be greatly simplied if thecounter top and [back-splash panels could be joined together at theshop, but this is frequently out of the question owing to considerationsof size and awkwardness of the assembled structure, as well asinterference with existing structure or equipment during installation,and the diculty of coping with walls that are wavy and out of plumb, ornot square at the corners, and loors that are not flat and level.Consequently, it is necessary that the final assembly be done at thetime of installation on the counter.

If the back-splash panel is rigidly xed to the counter top, kor if thepanel is solidly secured to the wall, trouble is almost inevitablyexperienced within a few years as the house settles. When this happens,the countertop and back-splash panel tend to pull apart, thereby openingup the joint and allowing water to seep through.

The present invention overcomes all of the above-mentioned diiculties byproviding an absolutely water-tight joint that is quickly and easilyinstalled, and that is constructed and arranged so as to remainabsolutely water-tight for s claims.` (c1. S11- 104) relates to anew andimthe entire service life of lthe structure under normal conditions.This is accomplished by providing a connector that is attached to one ofthe panels and that is arranged t0 provide a deep pocket in which theedge of the other panel is inserted; the said other panel being grippedwith a spring-pressure that permits a limited amount of relativeshifting between the panels without opening up the joint to penetrationby water. Thus, thereis provided a full-oating joint that is capable ofaccommodating itself to any settling or shifting of the house, and thatremains permanently water-tight and attractive in appearance.

The primary object of the invention, therefore, is to provide aconnector for attaching two Ypanels together at right angles to oneanother, while is simple and easy to install, permanently water-tight,attractive in appearance, and inexpensive. I Other objects andadvantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in theart upon consideration of the following detailed description of thepresently preferred embodiment thereof, reference being had to theappendedy drawngs,`wherein:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary cross sectional view through one form of myinvention, showing a connector mounted on a counter top, andillustrating the manner in which the back-splash panel is inserted downinto the pocket provided therefor;

Figure 2-is another View of the same after the back-splash panel hasbeen fully seated in the pocket; Figure 3 is a view showing the mannerin which the connector permits relative vertical shifting movementbetween the counter top and backsplash panel as the house settles; andFigure 4 is another view showing the manner in which the connectorpermits the counter top to move out horizontally from the wall withoutseparating from the back-splash panel or opening up the joint. f

In the drawings, the connector is designated Ain its entirety by thereference numeral I0, while the counter top is indicated at l I, and thebacksplash panel is shown at l2. In the illustrated form, the countertop is seen to comprise a V.plywood panel I3, to which a thin sheet oflaminate I4, such as Formica, is bonded. The back-splash panel l2 ispreferably made of 1A" thick plywood I5, to `which the laminate I4" isbonded. v

'I'he connector I0 comprises two parts: la first member 29 which may bebent to the shape shown from a strip of heavy gage sheet steel or othermetal, or may conveniently be produced as a nonferrous extrusion; and asecond member 2| of resilient material which cooperates with member 2|)to form a pocket 22.

The nrst member 2|) is preferably formed with a horizontal flange 23that is adapted to fit against the underneath side of theplywood panel3, and an upwardly bent portion 24 that fits against the back edgethereof. Projecting rearwardly from the top edge of the portion 24 is ahorizontal shelf portion 25, andi extending .up-

wardly from the rear edge of' the shelf' is a vertical flange 26. Theflange 26 is spaced rearwardly from the back edge of the counter top adistance slightly greater than th'ev thickness of the back-splash panelI2, and the liange projects for a substantial distance above thesurface' of the counter top; typically, about 3A inch.

The second member 2| is preferably roll-formed from stainless steelstripor4V other strip material having considerable spring resiliencyIsuch as', for example', carbon steel', hard brass, and certain of thehigh-strength alloys. In addition to these springmetals, itisalsocontemplated that the .secondY member' ZI might be extruded orotherwise formed ofI one of the' s'y'ntlfieticV resin plastics, such asvinyl chloride or the like, havin the necessary resiliency andelasticity; Y

Along the bottom edge of the member 2| is a relatively narrow, iiatvstrip portion 30`- which is clamped against the edge of the'- plywoodpanel I3 by the vertical portion 24 of the irstinember 2U. The upperportion 3F of theA member 2|- is bent so that it is inclined towardY theflange 26; the top edge of the portionv 3| beirigs'paced from theila-nge' 2B a dis-tanceI substantially less than the thickness of thebach-splash panel. l2,- and terminating in a cove molding portion 32'.VThe cove molding has an outer, or topf l-ip 33v that bears rearwardly'against the back-splash panel f2, and a bottom lip 34 that bearsdownwardly against the counter' top I I.

' The connector IIJ'1 i'sattacIiedftotHe edge of? the counter top bymeans of sc-'zretv'sfl 35' which are passed" through holes the verticalpori-.ionv 24 of member 2U and strip portion 30 of member 2|. Thecounter top` isL thenV mounted onthe previously constructedy frame ofthe counter (not shown?, Withthe flat-ige 256 abutting against the wall35. Next, a quantity of non-drying mastic 3?' is placed in the bottom ofthe po'czket 22, and then the bottom edge' of the back-splash panel I2is inserted into the pocket, as shown in Figure l, and pushed down intoplace, as' in Figure 2. The bottom edge ofl the back-splash panel ispreferably beveled or roundedr off, as shown at'4'0, to facilitateinsertion into the pocket 22, and as the back-splash panelv isstraightened up and pushed down into place, the' member 2|- is priedforwardly against its own spring tension. 'When the panelV |'2 is fully'seated in the pocket 22, as in Figure 2, the bottom edge of thev panelis pressed into and becomes embedded in the mastic 4 between the flange26 and the lip 33 by the spring tension of the member 2|, and is free toslide either lengthwise or outwardly of the pocket 22, or to take alimited amount of angular deflection with respect to the counter top, asin Figure 4, without opening the joint at the connector.

This ability yof the connector Il! to permit relative displacementbetween the Ycounter top andL the back-splash Vpanel without opening upat the joint is the secret of the success of my invention. As the housesettles with age or otherwise shifts under changing conditions, thereis' almost inevitably a slight amount of deformation in the? floors andwalls, resulting in displacement of the counter-top with respect to thebacksplash panel, or vice versa. Figure 3 shows the condi-tioni that isvobtained when the counter top drops slightly with respect to theback-splash panel; the condition being somewhat exaggerated for thepurpose of illustration. Note that even though. the'bottorxredge` of.the panel l2 has pulled awayv from the mastic/3T, the spring tension. ofthe member 2|' holds the lip 3'4 firmly againstthe surfaceV of thecounter: top andi lip 331 firmly against the surface: of thelback-splash panel |.2. N o gaps: havev opened, and the joint is as tightas ever against penetration by water.

Figure: 4 illustrates another condition, wherein the counter top hasbeen pulledf out from the wall 36. Since the top edge of the back-splashpanel |2 is attached to therwallf, whilev the bottom edge thereof isattached by the connector' Il) to the counter top thev panel |'2v isbent-back at a slight angle'f'rom the perpendicular, bending the flange26- with it. In. this instance', the spring tension' of. the member' 2|'causes thefupper portion 3|= to follow the' panelV |21, so4 that even'in the extremecondition shown,` the top lip'- 33 is still in Contactwith the surface of the backspla'shz panel, while the bottomlip 34 isstill in contact. with the' surface of the counter top'. Hereagain, thejoint isv as` tight asever against penetration-1 by? water.-

Wliile' I have shown. andi described' inf considerable:I detail whatis-` now believedtot be the preferred. form' of my invention, it will:be understood that various changes may be made in the shape' and.arrangement of the various parts thereof,4 without departing front the7broad scope of.' the inyention, as.` denned' infv the appended y claims.

I. The combination with a counter top and a back-splash panel, of aconnector comprising a member flxed to said counter top` and having anupwardly projecting flange spaced rearwardly fromv the back edge thereofa distance substantially equal toy the thickness of said back-splashpanel', and a second member extending upwardly from therbacl'; edge ofsaid counter top to a point above the"V top surface thereof, saidsecond'mem'- be'r being inclinedl rearwardly toward said flange so thatits top edge is spaced therefrom a dist'a'r'iceL substantially less thanthe thickness of said back-splash panel, Vsaid second member beingresiliently yieldable. away' from said flange to permit the bottom edgeof said back-splash panel tor be inserted therebetween', said bottomedge' of said back-splash panel being yieldingly gripped between'V saidflange and said second member by the spring pressure of the latter,whereby sai-d back-splash panel is; permitted a limited amount ofshifting with respect to said counter' top'.

2, 'Irre combination with a counter ropand4 e aarde-o tially, equal tothe Lthickness of said back-splash panel, and a resilient second memberextending upwardly from the back edge of said counter top to a pointabove the top surface thereof, said second member being inclinedrearwardly toward said flange so that its top edge is spaced therefrom adistance substantially less than the thickness of ,said back-splashpanel, the upper portionvof said second member being provided with onelip bearing downwardly against thetop surface ofsaid counter top andanother lip bearing'iagainst .the face of said back-splash panel, saidsecond member being, yieldable away from rsaidY ange to permitthe-bottom edge of said back-splash panel to be inserted therebetween,said-back-splash panel being yieldingly gripped between said flange andsaid other lip of said second member, and said one lip of said secondmember being spring-pressed downwardly against said counter top.

3. 'I'he combination with a counter top and a back-splash panel, of aconnector comprising a member fixed to said counter top and having anupwardly projecting flange spaced rearwardly from the back edge thereofa distance substantially equal to the thickness of said back-splashpanel, and a resilient second member extending upwardly from the backedge of said counter top and terminating in a cove molding portion, atleast a portion of said second member being directed rearwardly towardsaid flange so that the top edge of said cove molding portion is spacedtherefrom a distance substantially less than the thickness of saidback-splash panel, said second member being yieldable away from saidflange to permit the bottom edge of said back-splash panel to beinserted therebetween, and said bottom edge of said back-splash panelbeing yieldigly gripped between said flange and said top edge of saidcove molding portion by the spring pressure of said second member, Vthebottom edge of said cove molding portion being spring-pressed downwardlyagainst said counter top.

4. A connector for use in joining two panels together at substantiallyright angles to one another, said connector comprising a rst memberadapted to be fixed to the edge of one of said panels and having aflange perpendicular to the face thereof, and spaced from said edge adistance substantially equal to the thickness of the other panel, and aresilient second member cooperating with said nrst member to form apocket to receive the adjoining edge of said other panel, said secondmember having a free outer lip that is normally spaced from said flangea distance less than the thickness of said other panel, said lip beingyieldable away from said flange to permit the edge of said other panelto be inserted therebetween, said other `panel being yieldingly grippedbetween said flange and said lip of said second member by the springpressure of the latter, whereby a limited amount of relative shiftingmovement is permitted between said panels.

5. A connector for use in joining two panels together at substantiallyright angles to one another, said connector comprising a first memberadapted to be fixed to the edge of one of said panels and having aflange perpendicular to the face thereof and spaced from said edge adis- 6j: tance substantially equal to the thickness of the other panel,and a second member of spring metal cooperatingv with said rstvv memberVto form a pocket to receive the adjoining edge of said other panel,said second member projecting above the face A'of Vsaid one panel' andterminating in a cove molding, at least a portion of said second memberbeingdirec'ted toward said flange so that the outer lip of said covemolding is spaced therevfrom a distance less than the thickness of saidvother panel, said second member being yieldable away from said flange topermit the edge of said other panel to be inserted therebetween, andsaid other panel being yieldingly gripped between said flange and saidouter lip of said cove molding by theI spring pressure of said secondmember, the other lip of said cove molding being spring-pressed tightlyagainst said one panel.

6. A connector for use in joining two panels together at substantiallyright angles to one another, said connector comprising a rst memberadapted to be fixed to the edge of one of said panels, and having aflange perpendicular to the face thereof and spaced outwardly from saidedge a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the other panel,and a second member of spring metal cooperating with said rst mem-` berto form apocket to receive the adjoining edge of said other panel, saidsecond member projecting above the face of said one panel and being benttoward said flange so that its top edge is spaced therefrom a distanceless than the thickness of said other panel, the outer portion of saidsecond member being provided with one lip dis-posed to bear against theface of said one panel and another lip disposed to bear against the faceof said other panel, said second member being yieldable away from saidflange to permit the edge of said other panel to be insertedtherebetween, said other panel being yieldingly gripped between saidflange and said other lip of said second member, and said one lip ofsaid second member being spring-pressed against the face of said onepanel.

'7. The combination with a counter top and a back-splash panel, of aconnector comprising a member having one portion mounted against theback edge of said counter top, a horizontal shelf projecting rearwardlyfrom said vone portion, a flange extending upwardly from the back edgeof said shelf and spaced from said back edge of said counter top adistance substantially equal to the thickness of said back-splash panel,a resilient second member extending upwardly from said shelf to a pointabove the top surface of said counter top, said second member being bentrearwardly toward said flange so that its top edge is spaced therefrom adistance less than the thickness of said back-splash panel, the upperportion of said second member being provided with one lip bearingdownwardly against the top surface of said counter top and another lipbearing against the face of said back-splash panel, said second memberbeing yieldable away from said flange to permit the bottom edge of saidback-splash panel to be inserted therebetween, said back-splash panelbeing yieldingly gripped between said flange and said other lip of saidsecond member, whereby said back-splash panel is permitted a limitedamount of shifting with respect to said counter top, and said one lip ofsaid second member being spring-pressed downwardly against said countertop.

8. The combination with a counter top and a back-splash panel, of aconnector comprising a member having one portion mounted against theback edge. of said counter top, a horizontal shelf projecting rearwardlyfrom said one portion, a ange extending upwardly kfrom the back edge ofsaid shelf and spaced from said back edge of said counter topa distancesubstantially equal to the thickness of said back-splash panel, a secondmember of spring metal clamped between said one portion of saidfirst-named member and said back edge of said counter top, said secondmember extending upwardly to a point above the top surface of saidcounter top and terminating in a cove molding, said second member beingbent rearwardly toward said ange so that the outer lip of said covemolding is spaced there-` from a distance less than the thickness ofsaid back-splash panel, said second member being yieldable away fromsaid ange to Ypermit the edge o said back-splash panel to. be insertedtherebetween, said back-splash panel being yieldingly gripped betweensaid ange and said outer lip` of said cove molding by the springpressure of said second member, the other lip of said cove 8 7 moldingbeingspring-pressed tightly against the top face of said counter top,and fastening means passing through both said vone portion of saidrst-named member and said second member for securing the same to saidcounter top.

IRA J. PEARSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le ofthis patent;

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Y Date A 846,343 Plym Mar. 5 1907852,450 Plym- May 7, 1907' 946,734 Rhoads Jan. 18, 1910 1,352,531VRizzuto Sept. 14, 1920 1,701,714 `Ballenger Feb. 12, 1929 1,910,554Loehr et al Mar. 23, 1933 2,158,467 Madsen May 161939 2,195,318 ModrayMar. 26, 1940 2,539,463

, Norquist Jan. 30, 1951

